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Donald Belangie

February 04, 1924 - June 29, 2011

Donald Belangie Obituary Don was born in Detroit, MI on February 4, 1924 to Nelson Edward Belangie and Beatrice (Budzisch) Belangie. He grew up in Ypsilanti, MI where his grandfather, Nelson Earl Belangie owned and operated an auto shop. Later his parents moved back to Detroit and he graduated from MacKenzie High in Redford, MI. In 1942 he studied aero engineering at Detroit Institute of Technology and worked as an aircraft inspector at Excello Aircraft, also in Detroit. In 1943 Don enlisted in the Army Air Corps and later that year took training in top secret electronics at Smoky Hill AAF in Kansas in conjunction with a B-29 training squadron. In 1944 Don was transferred to the 502nd Bomb Group in G.I.A.A.F. in Nebraska and with his B-29 squadron flew to Guam and participated in the B-29 air war offensive against Japan. Don was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific campaign medal with 2 bronze battle stars, the Pacific War Victory Medal, and a presidential unit citation. Don was a First Lieutenant in the Air Force Reserve until his honorable discharge following the Korean War. Upon returning to the states, Don moved to Dearborn, MI and persuaded Wilma Mettenbrink of Grand Island, NE to come to Detroit and start their life together. Don worked as a factory representative for a company servicing Detroit?s major auto manufacturers. After a few years, Don left the motor city and took a position as a sales manager with an auto distributer in Omaha, Nebraska. Don piloted a small Cessna between 5 mid-western states. In 1955 Don started a new career in the insurance field, going to work for former U.S. Senator Lloyd Benson?s home base of Houston, Texas. A co-owned twin engine Beechcraft was used by Don and his associates to cover the large territory. In 1966, Don moved to Denver accepting a position with Neighbors of Woodcraft as Regional Director and became the fraternal life insurance leading agency developer in Colorado. He was transferred to Spokane, WA just before the World?s Fair began in 1974. The same year he began the development of the Neighbors of Woodcraft?s two Spokane circles and the Spokane membership grew to be the largest in the Northwest. Don initiated the annual award known as ?Spokane?s Neighbor of the Year?. Many of Spokane?s leading citizens were recipients from 1974 through the 1990s. Don was also an insurance broker-manager and principle owner of a large agency in the Spokane Valley for many years. Don retired from the insurance field in 1998 and enjoyed doing projects around the home. He was a long time member of Redeemer Lutheran Church and served as an Elder for a number of years as well as serving as usher and communion assistant to the Pastor. Don was a loving father and grandfather. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Wilma Lucille Belangie. He is survived by his sons, Allyn Belangie and wife, Virginia of Phoenix, AZ, Todd Belangie and wife, Elisa of Greenacres, WA, his daughters Gloria Woods of Sedona, AZ, Diane DeLong and husband, Brian of Rockford, Wa, his grandchildren Noah Plump and wife, Jennifer of Phoeniz, AZ, Lena, Torry and Colter DeLong of Rockford, WA, Michael and Kelly Belangie of Greenacres, WA, and his great-grandsons Micah and Michael Plump of Phoenix, AZ. Don is also survived by his sister, Virginia Kirk of Toledo, OH, brother Earl Belangie of Atlanta, MI and nephews Mark Kirk of Toledo, OH and David Kirk of Lapeer, MI. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, July 5th at 2:00 PM at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 3606 S. Schafer Rd, Spokane Valley, WA 99206. Memorial donations may be made to Redeemer Lutheran Church Fund.

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